Villanelle for Those Who Sail


Light heart the passage ease
Through storm from storm, from calm to calm
For there are seas, and there are seas, and there are seas

And in those fearful times when tempests seize
Grand winds of compass and alarm
Light heart the passage ease

Let fates great currents guide us as they please
Yet peace protect us from soul's harm
For there are seas, and there are seas, and there are seas

In stillness-grace reveal the best of lifes great keys
Unlocking this: A casting charm
Light heart the passage ease

Cats paw and gale are of the self same breeze
We hold all worlds in our own palm
For there are seas, and there are seas, and there are seas

This will not be our last and best reprise
Truth-proven by a life-lived psalm
Light heart the passage ease
For there are seas, and there are seas, and there are seas


Poetry is measured madness


Metered out
Rhymed out
And yes
of course
it's timed out

And there were times
when madness was all that I could speak
And that was poetry

And there were times
when madness was all that I could hear
And that
again
was poetry

The insane
obsession
for the word

THE word
Not a good word
nor even the best word
but...
The perfect word

Poetry is measured madness
and it is the measuring that has made the difference

Best Friend


Which friend

Best for your career
Best for your self-esteem
Or humility

Best for Fridays
Or weddings
Or divorces

Best for you

Or best for me
Best for inspiration
Best as an example
Of what not to do

Best as only
Best as crowd

Best as someone
Who follows dreams
Or is pursued by
Demons and debtors

Best owed
Or owned
Or old

I am none of these
To you
Or from you
Or of you

I refuse to be a custodian of your masks
I’m tired of your estrangement
I remain as your reflection
But I am not your friend